Hoppy Feet 2.0
Clown Shoes

 

 

A fun beer, these guys do great work, and also a huge beer, although there is little trace of its strength whil drinking it. Dense chocolate black and frothy beer, apparently built more like an imperial stout than anything that could reasonably be called an IPA. Aroma of fresh cut pine and molten milk chocolate, not sure I have smelled these two things side by side before, especially in a beer, but the fusion is lovely. Oily hops abound on the tongue, rich cocoa and black malts provide a sturdy and very bitter base. Past roasted to nearly charred is where it's at, coffee and chocolate in there too. The hops are massive, but the malt is big enough to balance, an incredibly flavorful beer obviously. Extra bitter from the hops too, with a pine needle and citrus peel finish, very complex. Smooth and heavy going down and in the belly, but not hot or boozy hardly at all. Clown shoes does a ton of these absurdly strong and inventive ales, and I admire them for that. This may be one of their best in that category...

Tasted in a Spiegelau IPA glass from a 1 pt 6 oz bottle on July 31, 2016. Smells and tastes of rich dark roasted malts and dank hops.

 

 

 

22 oz. bottle poured into a Duvel snifter glass.

Pours black with a tight bubbled frothy head that last for quite some time. Excellent sticky lacing clings to the sides of the glass.

Smells of dark roasted malt, bitter hops and a touch of burnt caramel.

Taste is deep roasted malt, molasses, caramel, anise and finishes with dry bittering hops. Very flavorful. A touch of alcohol that is not off putting in the least way.

Mouthfeel is creamy and slick. Goes down easily.

A really enjoyable offering from Clown shoes. I like this version better than the regular one. Much deeper flavors and a better mouthfeel. This is right up there with the best of this class. Recommended and will have again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Hoppy Feet is the first beer we made. Hoppy Feet 1.5 commemorated our first anniversary. Hoppy feet 2.0 brings a new twist, using twice the hops and all of the knowledge gained during 5 years of brewing Black IPAs that we love. The result: a brew with malty roast, richness and a n extremely dank hop profile. Cheers, friends!" Brewed in the style of an American Black IPA, available in 22 oz. bottles and on limited draft. Limited sporadic release from Clown Shoes.

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a tulip glass.

(Appearance) Pours a frothy foam head of a mocha brown head over a dark cola brown body with garnet highlights. Retention is above average and lacing is light and spotty. 3.75

(Smell) Black patent malt, caramel syrup and soft roast malt profile with a reserved sweetness meets a fruity, mildly citrus hop profile with a moderate bitterness. Potency is moderate. 3.75

(Taste) Medium roasted malt, black patent and caramel grains with a mild sweetness, a citrusy, earthy and fruity hop profile, moderately bitter with a light pinch of alcohol. Very nicely balanced. 4

(Mouthfeel) Texture is slick, residual, moderately syrupy, mildly dry. Carbonation is mild, generating a medium frothiness and a lightly crisp finish. Body is medium+ for the style, medium/heavy overall. Balance is slightly earthy bitter, grainy and hoppy bitter over sweet. Alcohol presence is mild and there are no off characters. 3.75

(Overall) A solid Black IPA with a big malt body and an enjoyable hop profile. Not quite as "dank" and bold as I expected, but rather it's very nicely balanced. 3.75

Clown Shoes'
Hoppy Feet 2.0 Black India Pale Ale
3.85/5.00